Assembly plans mining vote next week

A controversial bill overhauling state mining regulations could be on its way to the governor’s desk by the end of next week. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) says the chamber plans to take up the bill next Thursday as a special order of business, which would allow lawmakers to devote most of the day to debating the legislation.

Vos says Republicans plan to take up the same bill approved by the Senate on Wednesday night. He says the legislation has had multiple hearings and the “Senate did a great job getting it passed.”

Democrats are expected to again offer a long list of amendments, although the speaker says it remains unclear how long their debate could last. Vos says that’s an issue the majority leader is still working with the minority on, although he hopes to finish the process in a “timely fashion.”